Raipur
A 30-year-old undertrial prisoner allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree inside the Raipur Central Jail premises on Sunday evening. The deceased, identified as Sunil Mahanand, had been in judicial custody since 11 November 2025 in connection with a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Following the news of the death, the prisoner’s wife, Lalita Mahanand, lost consciousness. Family members, community leaders, and Congress party workers launched a protest outside the jail gates within the Ganj police station limits, alleging physical and mental harassment by jail authorities.
According to jail officials, the incident occurred around 6:45 pm on Sunday. Mahanand reportedly walked towards a peepal tree on the premises, used a cloth (gamcha) to make a noose, and hanged himself from a branch.
Guards on duty noticed him and brought him down while he was still breathing. He was rushed to the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Hospital (MEKAHARA), but was declared dead before arrival. Jail Superintendent Yogesh Singh Kshatri stated that the entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras and a judicial inquiry would be conducted.
Family alleges foul play and extortion
The protesters have raised serious allegations against the prison administration. Family members claimed they were informed of the death late at night after the body had already been moved to the mortuary.
“Sunil told us during meetings that he was being tortured. We provided him with three sweaters, several pairs of clothes, and food, but these were snatched from him inside the jail. We even sent money via Paytm, but it never reached him,” a relative alleged.
The protesters are demanding strict action against the jailer and other responsible officials.
Similar incident involving foreign national
This is the second such incident in the prison recently. Earlier, a prisoner of African origin allegedly ended his life by hanging from a cell rod using a gamcha. Sources indicate that foreign inmates had been protesting against the quality of food served in the jail prior to that incident.
